I recently read an article about the top 10 collectible Oldsmobiles from
the fifties. My personal preference is Toronados, the first ones with the long
hoods, and 68-72 442’s, my friend George had a 68, Fucci had a fast 1970, and
Richard the last year of that old body style in 1972. All fast cars, ones just
an afternoon ride in one today would be a treat. But 1950’s Olds were never my
favorite, I tend to like the 1956 Chevies more, as did most of America at the
time. But jumping off the page at me as I turned them, was a red and white 1956
Oldsmobile 88 two door hardtop. It was Uncle “Mose”’s car, and I remembered it
from riding in the back seat when a teen. I ‘m not sure if he was really my
uncle, he was my Nana’s sister’s husband, and my mother’s uncle. Confused, I
am. But Uncle “Mose” was a cool guy. Whenever Aunt Evelyn, Nana’s sister would
send a card, it was always Aunt Evelyn and Uncle “Mose.” So uncle he was. And
his 1956 Olds was his prize. A victim of many afternoons under trees hiding
from the summer sun being Simonized, it was the shiniest car I ever remembered.
With a certain bubbling noise from the exhaust, nothing at all like my Dad’s
Rambler. And coming from a family where cars weren’t the stars, his stuck out.
My Grandpa had a cool 1962 black Cadillac Coupe DeVille, and later a 1972 Lemans
coupe, he used to shift the automatic floor shifter making us feel like he was
racing, and pinning us back in the seat. But other than that, it was sedans,
Ramblers, and station wagons. So I was naturally drawn to Uncle “Mose” and his
Olds.
My cousin Steve and I would jump at the chance to ride with him on the
infrequent family outings, riding in the back seat, while Uncle “Mose” would
drive with his arm out the window. His short sleeves rolled up in the custom of
cool in the day. He was a muscular man, and the warning was always that he
drove fast, and got speeding tickets-the unforgivable sin in this conservative
Methodist family. Are you sure you want to ride with him? Let me think,
Rambler or fast Olds, where else would this young gearhead get his fix? A
chance to go fast and maybe get pulled over? Which only made us want to ride
along with him even more. Always on the lookout for the motor cop out to get
him, for we were all sure they knew the car, and were just waiting to nab him.
We later found out his real name was Arthur, just like “the Fonz,” but he was
always “Mose” to us, a “Mose” by any other name, he would still be a “Mose. “ He
lived in Warren Glen, how’s that for a town, two first names, and worked at a
large paper mill on the Delaware. His visits always included boxes, 1000’s of
sheets of paper, they made poster board, which was used in all school projects,
its shininess and toughness only adding to any good grade I would get. It was
expensive, but free from Uncle “Mose.” And we could just see him loading it
into his trunk after work, maybe having to sneak it out past the guard, and
putting it into his trunk in plain sight of everyone, everyone knew that Olds
could get you into trouble. He was cool, the way “the Fonz” was cool, without
the motorcycle, and even his name was in parenthesis just like “the Fonz;”
Uncle “Mose.” Now how cool was that? Sadly as we got older, and “Mose” and my
grandparents generation faded away, and so did the memories, but how cool it was
to think of him again after seeing the picture. And I wonder how many memories
of good times have been lost over the years through death of loved ones. And I
am thankful for the cars that tie me to them, and remind me of good times, when
we were young and all was right with the world. And the only real danger was
riding with Uncle “Mose” keeping a look out for cops. Maybe with the trunk full
of contraband paper, and the music too loud. Or the sound of the pipes waking
up he citizens. Yup, there was no better way to spend with your uncle than
going fast, in an Olds.
Kids today are tethered in the back seats of SUVs, minivans and four door
sedans. Mufflers muffling any sound that could cause excitement. And with AC
on, windows up and DVD in place, there is no need for conversation within the
car. Mom has her iPod, and Dad has his. No driving with the arm out the
window, no cool sound of exhausts. And with radar detectors that look out for
the cops for you, many just point and steer, with great difficulty. Surely
driving ain’t what it used to be. Which makes me wonder, what will the kids of
today remember in 20 years? Will they get excited when looking at an old
minivan? Will they remember all the good times in the SUV? Remember that movie
we watched on the way to Grandma’s house? And where will all the stories of
outlaws like Uncle “Mose” be? Who are your kid’s heroes today?
We are told that Jesus had four brothers, by their father and mother,
Joseph and Mary. Jesus never had any kids, but his siblings did, making him
Uncle Jesus. A way you never really think about Him. So many think of Him as
so pious and having no fun, not my kind of God. Yet I can see Jesus at family
gatherings hanging with the kids. Checking out handiwork of others, remember He
was a carpenter just like His dad. I could see some parents, aunts and uncle
and others warning kids to stay away form Him, He has weird ideas. But seeing
the kids being drawn to Him despite the warnings of others. You see Jesus will
do that to you. He will draw you to Him. Something about Him makes Him cool,
and you want to be with Him. Which is why maybe the hookers, junkies, tax
collectors, those with tattoos, and those who ride are drawn to Him. And we
aren’t afraid to ride along with Him. We see a certain freedom in Him, not a
set of rules. A true rebel, but one against sin and those who try to keep us
enjoying life. He leads by example, and long after we forget His words, we
still remember His actions. He would hang with the biker, the hot rodder, and
show a cool that is not found anywhere else, or in anyone else. A cool “the
Fonz,” or even Uncle “Mose” didn’t possess. He would love the sound of loud
pipes, drive with the windows down and arm out the window. He would talk to
those in the car with Him, and tune in the radio with the best songs. If asked
which car He wanted to ride in, He wouldn’t mind, but secretly would rather ride
with Uncle “Mose” than in a family of religous types. Can’t be heard when a
earphone is stuck in your ear. Either can you hear your kids. Listening? He
loved them too, but they didn’t much care for Him. Sadly today the Pharisees
are still alive and doing too well. Those who know all the rules, and you
better obey them, or timeout. Doors locked from the inside, just like their
hearts, not allowing anyone in.
Jesus tells us He stands at the door and knocks, He wants to be invited
into your life. Funny how He wants to to join you in your hot rod too. Right
up front, arm out the window. He wants to ride along with you too, on back if
needed, but rather ride beside you, on His own motorcycle. How you see Jesus
will make a huge difference in who He is in your life. Sadly to many He only
lives within the walls of the church, but you find although He taught in the
temple, He ministered on the street. Where the action and the people were. And
He is still knocking today? Will you ask Him in for a ride? Let Him throw a
leg over your bike?
Jesus was cool long before ducktails, Buddy Holly, “the Fonz” and even
before Uncle “Mose.” He was the coolest hippie, the coolest biker, and the
coolest hot rodder. More like us than we ever thought possible. Give Him a
chance today, open your door and let Him in. He offers us a chance to be like
Him. To paraphrase Ringo, “let Him step into your car and into your life...now
He’s your angel divine.” More than an angel, He is who He claimed to be. And
loved us anyway. All this remembrance because of a picture in a magazine. He
asks you to “do this in remembrance of me,” all things. And they all work for
good to those who love Him. Pedal to the metal, pipes wide open. Throttle
pegged, wind in your face. Arm out the window. That’s Jesus. Now that’s
cool.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com